Alfred University's Counseling program is a student-centered, 60-credit-hour program leading to the Master of Science in Education and Certificate of Advanced Study. Alfred’s program offers specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. Both programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The full-time Counseling program can be completed in two years without any summer commitments. Our graduates currently work in public and private schools, college counseling centers, student affairs positions, mental health agencies, substance abuse clinics, and many other settings.

Affordable Graduate Study

Alfred offers significant financial assistance to graduate students. All full-time Counseling students are offered a graduate assistantship (GA), which reduces tuition by 50% in exchange for 7.5 hours of work per week, assigned by the Counseling department. Students may qualify for other competitive GA positions through the Student Affairs, Residence Life, or Athletics departments: some of these GA positions offer additional financial assistance and room and board (Student Affairs assistantships). Students who find postgraduate employment in certain areas may also qualify for loan forgiveness. For more information on this and other student loan programs for counselors, click here. Please contact Dr. Steve Byrne for more information on graduate assistantship opportunities.

Counseling Specializations

Alfred's Clinical Mental Health Counseling track consists of 60 credit hours of coursework, supervised practica, and internship experiences. The Clinical Mental Health program is registered as a Licensure Qualified Program in New York State and satisfies all the educational requirements for students to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). Students gain applied experiences in various mental health agencies and college and university counseling centers in the community.

Alfred's School Counseling track consists of 60 credit hours of coursework, supervised practica, and internship experiences. Upon completion of the program, School Counseling students will receive provisional certification as a K-12 School Counselor in New York State, and they will have completed all coursework for permanent certification requirements. In addition, Alfred’s school counseling track prepares students to pursue school counseling opportunities throughout the country, as New York has reciprocity with most other states.